Best DT Album Closer

[ToT-147]

Obviously inspired by the "Best DT Album Opener" threads going around.. Even that sentence was inspired by it.. 

Anyway, my choice is TCoT.. It just has everything I like from DT, and besides it's excellent for me..

Others, like 8VM or IT, just one of the previous "requirements".. ITNoG, though, is actually very tied with TCoT, but I decided for this one by a hair..

[BlobVanDam]

I went with SDOIT, although I don't really think of it as an album closer, as it's a whole disc on its own. Still, the album does end epically, so I'm sticking with it.
ITNOG would be my next choice, followed closely by either Trial of Tears or Octavarium or Finally Free.

Damn, DT really know how to close an album. (at least from FII onwards )

[Laughingplace56]

My favorite song is Octavarium, but in terms of which song closes the album the best, I picked Finally Free. I listened to the album straight for the first time in a while yesterday and that song, the mood, the music, the lyrics, everything just perfectly wraps the story up and sends the album off with a perfect climax.

Almost went with Space Dye Vest, though. I think that song closes that album beyond perfectly, and in a way Scarred could never do in my opinion. The theme of the song coming off of LSOAD and the outro of Scarred flows perfectly, and it captures the darker tone of the album excellently. It ends on a somber note, but it works for that album.

[bl5150]

Went for IT but it was pretty much a dead heat between that and LTL.

[nikatapi]

Although LTL is a magical song, i went with Octavarium. It is the most satisfying and fulfilling ending for me, an incredible song and a unique epic in the band's catalogue.

[Daso]

I can't vote in this one. I'm too torn  I think at least over a half of that list would make it to my Top 10.

[robwebster]

Once again, there is not a single weak song, here. In the Presence of Enemies pt. 2 is the closest, and it's still badical. (Meanwhile, in the other thread, In the Presence of Enemies pt. 1 was my vote for "Best opener." Weird!)

Illumination Theory is my favourite song of those listed. Octavarium's the best, but Illumination Theory's my favourite. I think In the Name of God is probably the strongest closer - it's bonechillingly epic in a way that doesn't sound like any of their other songs, and the end of Illumination Theory is epic in a way they do quite frequently, but they'd never done it as well as Illumination Theory until... well, until Illumination Theory!

Razor's Edge is strong, too, but y'know. Burnout! The Count of Tuscany (which I'm listening to right now, and love more than I ever remember) is a long song on an album full of them, so it's not as significant as part of the story. Illumination Theory feels like a huge sigh after the brevity of the rest of the album, whereas The Count of Tuscany is just the long song that happens to be up last. It does end so, so well though. I always remember it as ending acoustically, which means I'm always pleasantly surprised by the way it builds into something much bigger. Space-Dye Vest and Beneath the Surface are very different but while they end each album quietly, they do so in an interesting and engaging way, and I cherish them both. Most days, Beneath the Surface is my favourite song on A Dramatic Turn of Events.

[Kotowboy]

Octavarium. Unequivocally. Absolutely. No Question.

[krands85]

They really do know how to not only open an album, but close one as well - some of my all time favourite tracks in that list - 6 of them are in my top 10. Learning to Live is unbeatable though.

Ranking would be something like this:

1. Learning to Live
2. Octavarium
3. In the Name of God
4. Illumination Theory
5. In the Presence of Enemies Pt. 2
6. The Count of Tuscany
7. Trial of Tears
8. Finally Free
9. Space-Dye Vest
10. Beneath the Surface
11. 6 Degrees of Inner Turbulence
12. Only a Matter of Time

[Clancy Wiggum]

Learning to Live.

Didn't even have to look at the others. My favourite DT song and favourite song by anybody.

[ThatOneGuy2112]

*torn between Finally Free, Learning to Live, and Octavarium*

Hnng.

It's safe to say that DT are also masters in album closers.

[Sacul]

In the name of god is the only reasonable choice.

[Nearmyth]

The top contenders for me are probably

Learning To Live
Finally Free
In The Name of God
Octavarium

Can't really choose between those but I just voted Octavarium for obvious reasons

[Tom Bombadil]

This one is very very challenging. My ranking At the moment would look like this:

1. Space Dye-Vest
2. TCOT
3. Octavarium
4. LTL
5. ITNOG
6. Trial of Tears
7. FF
8. BTS
9. ITPOE2
10. IT
11. SDOIT
12. Only a Matter of Time

[The Holy Tune]

Can't think of better album closers than Finally Free and Octavarium, as both gather the topic around and give it a grand finale. IT is also almost as good the other two feel better. I love 8VM so much but I guess I have to stick with FF as it's the closer to their best album.

[orcus116]

Learning To Live and it isn't even close.

[Sycsa]

Once again, there is not a single weak song, here.

I always thought Beneath the Surface was terrible and it reminds me of Enya. They shoulda closed the album with BAI.

[mirko_metal_88]

1. In the Name of God
2. Learning to Live
3. Finally Free
4. Octavarium
5. Space-Dye Vest
6. Only a Matter of Time
7. Illumination Theory
8. 6 Degrees of Inner Turbulence
9. Trial of Tears
10. In the Presence of Enemies Pt. 2
11. The Count of Tuscany
12. Beneath the Surface

[Theme Dreater]

This has to be one of the hardest polls yet. I don't think TCOT is my favorite song on the list, but I do think it has the most satisfying ending, so that is what I chose.

[TheGreatPretender]

In terms of which song is my favorite on the list, that would have to be ITPOE or LTL.

However, I voted for TCOT, because there's a difference between the best song, and the best album closer, and I feel that out of all the songs on the list, TCOT, musically, gives the best sense of that album finality, especially for an album like BCSL. It has dark moments, light moments and is a very dramatic album, and TCOT does a great job of concluding it in a fun, adventurous and satisfying note.

[ToT-147]

This has to be one of the hardest polls yet. I don't think TCOT is my favorite song on the list, but I do think it has the most satisfying ending, so that is what I chose.

The poll is what it is.. You can't change it.. You must not..

Hahaha.. Anyway... If I have to chose the song with the best ending, I'd go for IT.. 8VM has a better final solo, but the melody, the lyrics and the whole ending music, it never got to me as 8VM does.. Yet, regarding the poll, as it is , I chose TCoT due to its perfect way to close the album.. Since the very beginning you can feel it will be the last ride of the day..

[CrimsonSunrise]

ummm...no Metropolis Pt. 1? 

I guess by the list it would be 6DOIT

[bl5150]

ummm...no Metropolis Pt. 1? 

I guess by the list it would be 6DOIT

Which album does Metropolis close 

[TheGreatPretender]

ummm...no Metropolis Pt. 1? 

I guess by the list it would be 6DOIT

Which album does Metropolis close 

Score!

[Tis BOOLsheet]

Learning to Live or IT are the best closers to me. They both end their respective albums on a powerful and dramatic high note. Octavarium is a good closer too, mostly because when it concludes, you are so grateful that the torture of that album is finally over.

[Rodni Demental]

Honestly, I can't decided between The Count, Illumination, Ocatavarium, In The Name Of God, Learning To Live. Oh, and Finally Free, if anything's a perfect album closer it's that one. But so is Loosing Time/Razors Edge. Hell, I even think Only A Matter Of Time is a great closer.

Schmedley Wilcox was seriously the coolest thing btw.

What's left, In The Presence of Enemies? I guess that has to be the worst by default but it's by no means bad.

Wait no, Space Dye Vest, I've never liked that song nor understood what's considered so widely great about it other than the novelty. It's cool that they're playing it now, but it's only cool because of the build up and history behind the song, for me.

Beneath The Surface on the other hand, I had to use this as my tie breaker because I had a feeling it wasn't gonna get any love being related to all these beastly songs and well, I think it's fairly underrated.

[FlyingBIZKIT]

Beneath The Surface on the other hand, I had to use this as my tie breaker because I had a feeling it wasn't gonna get any love being related to all these beastly songs and well, I think it's fairly underrated.

This

[TheGreatPretender]

Beneath The Surface on the other hand, I had to use this as my tie breaker because I had a feeling it wasn't gonna get any love being related to all these beastly songs and well, I think it's fairly underrated.

It might not compare to all the beastly epics, but I wouldn't say it's underrated at all. In fact, when the album came out, it surprised me quite a bit how many people said it was their favorite song on the album, or otherwise, how much they loved it regardless.

[Jaffa]

Man, what a poll!  A lot of worthy contenders.  In the end, I went with In the Name of God, because it's simply my favorite song on the list, but in terms of closers, it's got some stiff competition here.  Learning to Live, Finally Free, SDOIT, The Count of Tuscany, Trial of Tears, Octavarium... even Beneath the Surface!  Dream Theater albums tend to end very, very well.

[ToT-147]

Octavarium is a good closer too, mostly because when it concludes, you are so grateful that the torture of that album is finally over.

What a torture!.. Yeah, much more than the first albums.. SDV, LSoaD, JLMB, NM, Wait for Sleep.. I never have to wait too much for sleep when I hear that one..

[BlobVanDam]

Once again, there is not a single weak song, here.

I always thought Beneath the Surface was terrible and it reminds me of Enya. They shoulda closed the album with BAI.

I'd say it's definitely one of their weakest album closers. I get that BAI seemed like the obvious choice to close the album, but there's a good reason for that.

[wolfking]

Went for IT but it was pretty much a dead heat between that and LTL.

This guy knows what the deal is.  I'd also add 8VM into that dead heat.

[yeah_93]

Had Breaking All Illusions been in Beneath the Surface's place, this would be the hardest poll ever. I went with LTL, with Space Dye Vest a close second. My list would probably be like:

1. Learning to Live (Consistently excellent)
2. Space Dye Vest (I'll never be open again)
3. In the Name of God (Epic)
4. Octavarium (Good, but a bit too long)
5. Finally Free (Good, but it could be shorter)
6. In the Presence of Enemies (Long instrumental section feels unnecessary)
7. The Count of Tuscany (Great, but a bit cheesy)
8. Beneath the Surface (Good but kind of forgettable, has a stronger track before it)
9. Illumination Theory (It's a good song, but the orchestra feels out of place)
10. SDOIT (I've listened to it very few times, far too long)
11. Trial of Tears (I really don't dig this song)
12. Only a Matter of Time (Don't like it)

[wolfking]

Had Breaking All Illusions been in Beneath the Surface's place, this would be the hardest poll ever. I went with LTL, with Space Dye Vest a close second. My list would probably be like:

1. Learning to Live (Consistently excellent)
2. Space Dye Vest (I'll never be open again)
3. In the Name of God (Epic)
4. Octavarium (Good, but a bit too long)
5. Finally Free (Good, but it could be shorter)
6. In the Presence of Enemies (Long instrumental section feels unnecessary)
7. The Count of Tuscany (Great, but a bit cheesy)
8. Beneath the Surface (Good but kind of forgettable, has a stronger track before it)
9. Illumination Theory (It's a good song, but the orchestra feels out of place)
10. SDOIT (I've listened to it very few times, far too long)
11. Trial of Tears (I really don't dig this song)
12. Only a Matter of Time (Don't like it)

I get the impression that you really don't like many of the songs after number 4.

[yeah_93]

Had Breaking All Illusions been in Beneath the Surface's place, this would be the hardest poll ever. I went with LTL, with Space Dye Vest a close second. My list would probably be like:

1. Learning to Live (Consistently excellent)
2. Space Dye Vest (I'll never be open again)
3. In the Name of God (Epic)
4. Octavarium (Good, but a bit too long)
5. Finally Free (Good, but it could be shorter)
6. In the Presence of Enemies (Long instrumental section feels unnecessary)
7. The Count of Tuscany (Great, but a bit cheesy)
8. Beneath the Surface (Good but kind of forgettable, has a stronger track before it)
9. Illumination Theory (It's a good song, but the orchestra feels out of place)
10. SDOIT (I've listened to it very few times, far too long)
11. Trial of Tears (I really don't dig this song)
12. Only a Matter of Time (Don't like it)

I get the impression that you really don't like many of the songs after number 4.

Not really. Only the last 3. I mean, I pointed out the negatives of those songs so it made sense as to why they were at lower ranks, doesn't mean I don't like them.